Let the uniform width of the frame be " x " inches. Then the outer dimensions of the frame are 8+2x and 12+2x. From the condition, you have this equation (8+2x)*(12+2x) - 8*12 = 8*12. Reduce it to the standard form quadratic equation 96 + 16x + 24x + 4x^2 - 96 = 96 4x^2 + 40x - 96 = 0 x^2 + 10x - 24 = 0 (x+12)*(x-2) = 0. This equation has two root, -12 and 2. Of them , only positive value makes sense. ANSWER. The uniform width of the frame is 2 inches.